What was supposed to be another busy week of markets for San Antonio candle-makers Aliana Salazar and Jonathan Gayta turned into a nightmare early Monday, when thieves allegedly swiped their car right outside their Alamo Ranch home, taking their entire market setup with it. The couple estimates the loss at roughly $15,000 to $16,000, including their hand-poured candle inventory, display tables and the vehicle itself.
Ring-camera footage shows someone getting into the vehicle at around 2 a.m., and the owners say the clip captures the theft as it plays out. “It just feels like a violation of our privacy,” Salazar and Gayta said. They now have only two to three days to remake products and rebuild displays before their next weekend markets. San Antonio police currently have no leads, and the case remains an active investigation, according to KSAT.
Car thefts remain a local concern
Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, reviewed by the San Antonio Express-News, shows the San Antonio-New Braunfels area has recorded thousands of stolen vehicles in recent years, highlighting how exposed small entrepreneurs can be when they leave inventory in cars overnight. As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, authorities have responded with measures such as engine-immobilizer giveaways for vulnerable vehicle models in an effort to slow the trend.
What vendors can do now
For vendors who shuttle stock between home and markets, experts recommend low-cost safeguards like GPS trackers and alarms, locked toolboxes inside vehicles, offsite storage for full inventory, and keeping detailed photos and serial numbers for every item. The U.S. Small Business Administration advises small-business owners to review insurance and risk plans, including commercial auto or inland-marine coverage that can protect gear in transit, as part of their standard preparedness playbook. Anyone with information about the theft can contact the San Antonio Police Department through its anonymous Tip411 system or submit tips to Crime Stoppers of San Antonio.
Salazar and Gayta say they are already back to work, remaking best-sellers and rebuilding displays with help from neighbors and loyal customers. They plan to post updated market dates on their social pages as they regroup and try to get their candle business glowing again.
